Step 15: Attach shelf

Step 16: Attach the shelf part 2

Lastly, fasten down the shelf using two #8 X 1 1/4" flat head screws.

Everyone needs a single shelf somewhere in their home. I will show you how to mount a shelf measuring 3/4" X 10" X 36". To support the shelf, I'm using two cherry concave 8 shelf brackets from Tyler Morris Woodworking. One shelf bracket is mounted to a wooden stud and the other is attached to drywall only using Toggler drywall anchors.

I'm aware that the shelf brackets have a 250 lb. capacity rating and the Toggler brand drywall anchors have a 200 lb. capacity rating. I plan on using my shelf for books and small objects. It's safe to assume that this load will not cause my shelf to fail.

Thanks folks. Instructables is new to me. I have spent the past two evenings immersed in it. I had fun writing this tutorial and I have a list of other wood related projects that I would like to share too.

Thanks! This is awesome! Lots of clever ideas I hadn't seen before here (e.g. the masking tape on the 3/32" drill bit to keep it from poking through). And nice shelf brackets, too.

It appears that the shelf sits back about 3/4" from the wall, since the vertical member of the shelf bracket prevents the shelf from being flush with the wall. Have you found that to be an annoying feature, or is it fine the way it is? I imagine smaller items might fall through.

Were anyone deterred by that aspect of the design, I suppose it wouldn't be too hard to put 3/4"x2"(?) rabbet joints on the ends of your shelf so it fits snuggly in between the vertical members of the shelf bracket.

Hi and thanks for the compliment and feedback. Yes, with this design the shelf will remain the 3/4" from the wall, but one can "notch" the shelf to make it sit flush with the wall. Also, fyi, we make a bracket that the shelf sits on top, therefore allowing the shelf to install flush to the wall. -Tyler

I appreciate that you took the time to put together a tutorial, that novice "handymen" will find useful. People that arrive at Instructables looking for general advice may be intimidated, unless someone provides these kinds of "basic how-to" articles.